Engine starting mechanism



R. M. NARDONE ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 13, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 1 5 5:2 7 0 I6 7 l%z: \i6 T INVENTOR oullwame ORNEY Sept. 21, 1943. R. M. NARDONE 2,329,929

ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 13, 1940 3 Sheets -Sheet 2 U W H Sept. 21, 1942.;

Original Filed Sept. 13, 1940 'R. M. NARDONE ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Unveni-or BY RoudeoM Ncu'dolce.

WTTORNEY from, while its transverse dimensions are approximately the same as the longitudinal dimensions of the unit and are therefore sufficiently small to permit mounting of the unit in the space available between the flanges i8 and [3 of the crankcase I l, wherefore the entire engine starting mechanism is disposed in front of the rear-most flange II] of the crank-case and has no projecting with a corresponding gear 4| which is integral with the outer rotatable cylindrical portion or barrel 42 of the unit 25. As shown, both the units 25 and are supported in bearings received in diiferent portions of the framework iii of the engine crank-case. These different portions include a section 52 which rotatably receives a shaft 53 terminating in a bevel gear 54 adapted to mesh with a bevel gear 55 which as shown is integrated with the previously described bevel gear 38, the two gears 38 and 56 being keyed or otherwise secured, in the embodiment shown in Fig. l, to the extending cylindrical portion 58 of an internally toothed gear 59 which is adapted to be driven by a pinion 5i integral with a shaft 62 to which is keyed a gear 53 having permanent mesh with pinion teeth 64 which is shown as integrally formed on the end portion of the armature shaft 65 of the motor 5!.

All of the elements just described and the supporting means therefor are shown in Fig. 1 as contained within the major portion 3| of the starting mechanism; and while these elements constitute the normal driving means for the driven section 25 of the unit (and the engine engaging element 23 therein) the shaft 53 constitutes a supplemental or alternatively operable driving means and includes a connecting section and a transversely disposed pin H for attachment of a manually operable crank, or alterpression spring 15, the element i lbeing rigidly secured to the housing by suitable means, such as thescrews 16, so that in the event of any tend- .ency of the shaft 53 (and its attached ring l3) to rotate in the direction opposite to the normal driving direction, the parts 53 and '13 will be held against the possibility of such a reverse rotation by reason of the engagement of the locking surfaces of the clutch elements 13 and 14. It follows that when the shaft 53 is operated as the driving means for the starter, it rotates in such a direcfriction disc assembly 8| and the automatic meshing mechanism including the motion translating nut and screw combination of which the nut is shown at 82 and the screw at 83, the latter being splined in engagement with the engine engaging member 23 as indicated at 84, and the whole constituting a mechanism of the same character as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,002,413 granted May 21, 1935.

During such drive from the alternatively operable means 53, the motor 5| is of course not energized electrically, but will rotate with the drive shaft 53 and connected parts by reason of the positive driving connection between the shaft 53 and the gear'combination 38-56.

After the engine has been started by the energy transferred thereto by way of the engaged clutch elements 23 and IS, the latter will overrun the former, and the former will be returned to the disengaged position indicated in Fig. 2 by the reverse screw action of the parts 82 and 83, in the manner well understood in the art.

There is thus provided a mechanism capable of installation in the limited space available, as indicated, which mechanism is separable into units for separate inspection, and operable by alternatively employable means.

It is to be understood that the invention includes not only the use of all the disclosed features in conjunction, one with the other, but also the separate use of any of said features, or any combination thereof, as is indicated by the varying scope of the appended claim.

This application is asubstitute for my application No. 356,708, filed September 13, 1940.

What is claimed is:

In combination with an engine crank-case having a centrally disposed cylindrical passage to shaft, said last-named means includin a jaw clutch element and means for translating the rotation of said motor into axial and rotary movement of said jaw clutch element, to cause said jaw clutch element to engage'and subsequently rotate said intermediate shaft, and means for mounting said jaw clutch element within said crank-case, in aligned relationship to said intermediate shaft, and in a plane passing through said startingmotor.

' ROMEO M. NARDONE. 

